The anthem was used from 1944 to 1991. It was composed by Aram Khachaturian, a world-famous Armenian composer, who was known for his concertos and ballets, Spartacus and Gayane, the latter including the ever-popular Sabre Dance. Armenak Sarkisyan, who went under the pseudonym Sarmen, wrote the lyrics. Upon independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia adopted the anthem Mer Hayrenik ("Our Fatherland") in its place.